Stamp receptacle with stamps



3 Sheets-Sh t 1 Jn vemor: I

WERNER ENALD by% Attorny Jan. 31, 1967 w. EWALD STAMP RECEPTACLE WITH STAMPS Filed Dec. 14, 1964 Jan. 31, 1967 w. EWALD STAMP RECEP'I'ACLE WITH STAMPS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 14, 1964 Fig.5

Jn vemar WERNER EWALD W1 Atto r'ney Jan. 31, 1967 w. EWALD 3,301,181

STAMP RECEPTACLE WITH STAMPS Filed Dec. 14, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jnvemor WE R R Eh! A TD 1, orney United States Patent Office 3,301,181 STAMP RECEPTACLE WITH STAMPS Werner Ewald, 9 Baumweg, Hanan, Germany Filed Dec. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 417,886 Claims priority, application Germany, Dec. 19, 1963, E 26,066 3 Claims. (Cl. 101333) The present invention relates to rubber stamps and receptacles therefore. More specifically, this invention is concerned with improvements on stamps of the shape and construction of the stamps to permit the stamps to be easily placed into and removed from, a stamp receptacle.

Heretofore, it has been found difiicult to accommodate stamps in receptacles in such a manner that they are neatly grouped within minimum space and are easily accessible.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide in combination a rubberstamp box, a stamp pad and stamps with which the difficulties heretofore encountered in the accommodation of stamps are overcome.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stamp receptacle in which the stamps are closely spaced so as to fill out substantially the entire free stamp-receiving space of the receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide stamping elements which, when placed in the stamp receptacle, have their upper surfaces with their identifications aligned in a common plane.

Still another object of the invention is to provide stamping elements which can easily removed from and placed back into, a stamp receiving box.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide stamping elements and a stamp receptacle in which the stamping elements are so disposed relative to the receptacle that they are ready for stamping immediately after their removal from the receptacle.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a stamp receptacle with stamps wherein, the free cross-sectional area of the stamp receiving box corresponds substantially to the total cross-sectional area of all stamps contained in and filling out the box to give lateral support to the stamps.

A further object of the invention is to provide each stamp with a vertically movable handle to minimize the space required for holding the stamps in the stamp box is minimized.

A further advantage of the stamps and receptacle of the invention consists in that the stamps are neatly arranged in the receptacle with their upper surfaces bearing the identifying designations and lying in a common plane.

Another object of the invention is to position the stamps in compact arrangement in the receptacle while simultaneously permitting their easy withdrawal and return back into the box.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide the closely spaced arrangement of the stamps mentioned with an ink pad provided at the bottom of the box, which will be prevented from drying out because its surface is covered by the stamps.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, it being understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the stamp box of the invention, the box holding two rows of stamps each Patented Jan. 31, 1967 of which is provided with a spring-loaded key serving as handle;

FIGURE 2 shows a single stamp, partly in section, with the spring-loaded key in depressed position;

FIGURE 3 shows the stamp of FIG. 2 with its key in upper position;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the stamp of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of the stamp of FIG. 3;

FIGURE 6 is a partly sectionalized view of another embodiment of a stamp, and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the stamp box in which the stamps are arranged in staggered relationship.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, .there is shown at 1, a stamp receiving box which holds a plurality of closely spaced stamping elements 2 each of which has a spring-loaded key 3. As is illustrated in FIG. 1, stamps 2 are arranged in closely spaced relationship so that they cover substantially all the useful space of stamp receiving box 1. At its lower end, each of stamps 2 is provided, in a manner known per se, with a stamping surface schematically indicated at 4 in FIGS. 1 and 3. To permit sectioning of box 1, dividing elements (not shown) may be provided, with the stamps then fitting loosely into their associated. sections, that is, with little clearance between the outer surfaces of the stamps and the inner walls of the sections.

In FIG. 1 two of stamps 2 are shown in raised or operat-ive position, in which they project from. the plane defined by the non-used stamps. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the stamps are broughtinto raised or operative position by depressing their respective keys, so that immediately afterwards they can be easily removed from box 1 for stamping or other purposes. For identification, the key of each stamp is marked with a unique designation so that any desired stamp contained in box 1 can be easily located. I

To remove a stamp from box 1, its associated key 3 is depressed thereby bringing the stamp into operative position in which it can then be readily taken out of box 1.

For a detailed description of the stamps reference is made to FIGS. 2 and 4. As shown in these figures, each stamp 2 comprises a stamp casing 6 of preferably rectangular cross-section in which is disposed a correspondingly shaped supporting member 5 incorporating the key mechanism. In the embodiment shown two strips 7 extend through supporting member 5. To the lower ends of strips 7 is attached the stamping surface 4 proper, and the upper ends of strips 7 carry the key or handle 3. A compression spring 8 is disposed intermediate key 3'and the upper surface of supporting member 5. One of strips 7 has a driving stud 9 extending therefrom. Stud 9 acts as coupling element for the key mechanism which comprises a swivelling trip lever 10 having a nose 12, and a spring 11. Trip lever 10 is vertically spring-biased 10 is pivotally mounted on 5. The downwardly directed end of spring 11 urges trip lever 10 to the left and against its associated strip 7. In the position shown, key 3 is held in its inoperative position because stud 9 engages the lower edge of an arm 10a of trip lever 10. Initially, each of stamps 2 assumes this position in stamp receiving box 1. To bring a stamp into its operative position for removal from box 1, its associated key or handle 3 is slightly depressed, thereby moving strips 7 and, consequently, stud 9, slightly downwards. Nose 12 is bent obliquely away from trip lever 10 and at its rear side a transversely extending slot is provided so that upon slight depression of key 3 trip lever 10 will be shifted to the left under the action of spring 11 against the stop 20 thereby causing stud 9 to engage nose 12 at its rear side.

Upon release of key 3 spring 8 causes stud 9 to travel upwards along the rear side of trip lever 10 beyond the inclined arm 12 of the lever, so that the stud finally assumes the position indicated in FIG. 3. In this position the initially depressed key now projects from the plane of the other, non-actuated, keys so that the stamp can be easily taken out of the box. Return of the key to its lowermost position is automatically effected as pressure is applied to the stamp for making an impression. Therefore, the key of the used stamp will lie in the same plane as the other keys after the stamp has been placed'back into box 1. To restore the stamp, key 3 is depressed whereby stud 9 travels along the inclined edge of arm 10a thereby forcing trip lever vlllto the right until the stud comes to rest at the lower edge of arm 10a. It should be understood that many modifications of the key mechanism are feasible, it being only necessary that the stamp can assume three positions, namely one position (FIGS. 2 and 4) when it is in the stamp receiving box; another position in which the key is slightly depressed to unlatch the key mechanism, and, finally, the position (FIGS. 1 and 3) in which the stamp can be taken out of the box.

Moreover, it should be understood that also the relative position of key 3 and its associated stamp body can be modified. Thus the key can 'be designed to extend into stamp casing 6, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the outer dimensions of the key may be made to equal those of stamp casing 6. Another variant consists in that the key is designed to fit over the stamp casing just like a sleeve. Further, the keys may be made smaller in width than their associated stamps and arranged in staggered relationship in the box, as shown in FIG. 7, thereby improving the neatness of grouping. Also it should be understood that the space of the stamp box will depend upon the maximum external dimensions of the stamp body. Thus the stamp may be designed in such a manner that it consists only of two halves one sliding within the other as a telescope. In this case the key mechanism would cooperate directly wit-h two side walls of the stamp body one of which would carry a stud serving the same purpose as stud 9.

A further embodiment of the stamp of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. Unlike the embodiment of FIG. 2 the stamp of FIG. 6 has no key. Instead, a grip plate 14 having the shape of a sector is rotatably secured to the stamp. At its vertex grip plate 14 is provided with a knurled portion 15 which permits rotation of plate 14 through a slot 13 in the stamp body about a stud 16 attached to the stamp body at its upper end. In the position shown in FIG. 6, plate 14 is swung out, and its stop 17 provided at the lower edge of the plate abuts against the inner surface of the stamp body. In this position the stamp can be easily taken out of the stamp box by its grip plate. After use the stamp is placed back into the box with the grip plate 14 being depressed thereby forcing the plate down through slot 13 to an end position (indicated by the dash-dotted line in FIG. 6) which may also be defined by a suitable stop. In this position the upper surface of grip plate 14 lies in the plane of the upper surface of the stamp, with only the knurled portion 15 projecting slightly therefrom. In this second embodiment the stamp comprises only a hollow tetragonal block in the upper portion of which is movably mounted the described swing-out plate 14. At its lower end the block carries at its outer side the stamping surface of rubber with characters or other symbols.

It is understood that although the preferred form of the invention has been shown, various modifications may be made in the details thereof without departing from its spirit as comprehended by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A stamp receptacle with stamps, comprising: a box having the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with an an open upper side; a plurality of stamping elements having a standard size and shaped as rectangular parallelepipe-ds; said elements standing in the box, each with an identifying, upper end formed by a key and a stamping, lower end, said keys forming in the box a common horizontal plane; the rectangular cross section of each of said elements being of a size that allows complete filling of the box with the plurality of stamping elements, there being a small clearance between adjacent stamping elements as well as between stamping elements and box sides; and a spring-loaded means to make the keys of individual stamp elements protrude from the common horizontal plane so that the elements can be pulled from the box; said means comprising a key switching mechanism, supporting means for said mechanism and guide means, said supporting means being immovably secured in the interior of said stamping element, said key being rigidly coupled to the lower stamping surface by at least one of said guide means, said guide means extending through said supporting means and being operatively coupled to said key switching mechanism; said key switching mechanism comprising a resilient trip lever, a drive element, and a spring element, said trip lever being rotatably mounted and having a recess, an inclined edge above said recess, and a cam-like nose adjacent said recess and bent obliquely away from the plane of said trip lever, said spring element engaging said cam-like nose, said drive element being rigidly secured at its one end to said guide means, the other end of said drive element engaging into said recess in said trip lever.

2. A printing stamp assembly comprising: a box having the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with an open upper side; a plurality of stamp elements of a standard size and shaped as rectangular parallelepipeds; said elements standing closely assembled relative to each other and to the side walls of said box to cover the bottom area; said elements each having an identifying, upper end formed by a key and a lower end "formed by a printing member; said upper ends forming a common horizontal plane; each key slidable in the direction of the vertical axis of its stamp element; each of said elements including a spring-loaded protruding means to enable its key to protrude from the common horizontal plane so that it can be pulled from the box; each of said protruding means comprising a key switching mechanism and supporting means for said mechanism; each of said supporting means being immovably secured in the interior body of its stamp element.

3. The stamp assembly as in claim 2 wherein the key is rigidly coupled to the lower printing member by at least one guide means and a resilient means is disposed intermediate the movable key and the stationary stamp body, said guide means extending through said supporting means and being operatively coupled to said key switching mechanism.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,032,399 7/1912 Gibson 101333 1,038,742 9/1912 Gibson 101333 1,338,978 5/1920 Davis 10 1405 1,947,282 2/1934 Theis 161l5 X 2,427,069 9/1947 Randolph 42.03 2,608,693 9/1952 Hansen 16ll5 X 2,671,354 3/1954 Goos 120-42.03 2,865,044 12/1958 Bielek 16-l 15 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

J. R. FISHER, Assistant Examiner, 

1. A STAMP RECEPTACLE WITH STAMPS, COMPRISING: A BOX HAVING THE SHAPE OF A RECTANGULAR PARALLELEPIPED WITH AN AN OPEN UPPER SIDE; A PLURALITY OF STAMPING ELEMENTS HAVING A STANDARD SIZE AND SHAPED AS RECTANGULAR PARALLELEPIPEDS; SAID ELEENTS STANDING IN THE BOX, EACH WITH AN IDENTIFYING, UPPER END FORMED BY A KEY AND A STAMPING, LOWER END, SAID KEYS FORMING IN THE BOX A COMMON HORIZONTAL PLANE; THE RECTANGULAR CROSS SECTION OF EACH OF SAID ELEMENTS BEING OF A SIZE THAT ALLOWS COMPLETE FILLING OF THE BOX WITH THE PLURALITY OF STAMPING ELEMENTS, THERE BEING A SMALL CLEARANCE BETWEEN ADJACENT STAMPING ELEMENTS AS WELL AS BETWEEN STAMPING ELEMENTS AND BOX SIDES; AND A SPRING-LOADED MEANS TO MAKE THE KEYS OF INDIVIDUAL STAMP ELEMENTS PROTRUDE FROM THE COMMON HORIZONTAL PLANE SO THAT THE ELEMENTS CAN BE PULLED FROM THE BOX; SAID MEANS COMPRISING A KEY SWITCHING MECHANISM, SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SAID MECHANISM AND GUIDE MEANS, SAID SUPPORTING MEANS BEING IMMOVABLY SECURED IN THE INTERIOR OF SAID STAMPING ELEMENT, SAID KEY BEING RIGIDLY COUPLED TO THE LOWER STAMPING SURFACE BY AT LEAST ONE OF SAID GUIDE MEANS, SAID GUIDE MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SUPPORTING MEANS AND BEING OPERATIVELY COUPLED TO SAID KEY SWITCHING MECHANISM; SAID KEY SWITCHING MECHANISM COMPRISING A RESILIENT TRIP LEVER, A DRIVE ELEMENT, AND A SPRING ELEMENT, SAID TRIP LEVER BEING ROTATABLY MOUNTED AND HAVING A RECESS, AN INCLINED EDGE ABOVE SAID RECESS, AND A CAM-LIKE NOSE ADJACENT SAID RECESS AND BENT OBLIQUELY AWAY FROM THE PLANE OF SAID TRIP LEVER, SAID SPRING ELEMENT ENGAGING SAID CAM-LIKE NOSE, SAID DRIVE ELEMENT BEING RIGIDLY SECURED AT ITS ONE END TO SAID GUIDE MEANS, THE OTHER END OF SAID DRIVE ELEMENT ENGAGING INTO SAID RECESS IN SAID TRIP LEVER. 